Does this taste bad?

[DSalovesh]

(Bike in the bathtub? You’re doing it right!)

Actually, that looks broken to me, for most modern derailers. A side view would help, and without that I’m kinda guessing…

If you look at all these images –

https://www.google.com/search?q=front+derailleur+top+view&hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS504US504&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=tT8LUevQNubl0gHH_YDoAg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1440&bih=783#hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS504US504&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=front+derailleur&oq=front+derailleur&gs_l=img.3..0l6j0i5l4.192860.193110.0.193448.2.2.0.0.0.0.248.329.1j0j1.2.0…0.0…1c.1.2.img.CQdoCjZmMqc&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41867550,d.dmQ&fp=26714fd76e69634c&biw=1440&bih=783

– the outer plate seems longer than what I can see in your picture, and all of them completely loop around the chain. Yours appears to be open. (There were some old designs that worked like that, but they had even longer plates. And they didn’t work as well as the completely enclosed version everyone makes these days.)

This would definitely affect downshifting while climbing, which is already stressful on the drivetrain.

[KelOnWheels]

Well we are talking about the finest in 1990s cheap Shimano components here

Those pics are really helpful – I should have thought to JFGI

It’s not broken, it was born that way (front outside plate is shorter and it’s open all the way to the back), but judging from all those pics it’s definitely bent. I pried the outer edge out a bit.

[ATTACH]2374[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]2375[/ATTACH]

“Sakae” is Italian, right?

[DSalovesh]

I, uh, seem to have forgotten which side of the bike a derailer is on. I had that totally turned around, and what I thought was the back is actually the front.

But yeah, it’s definitely a bit bent, and the solution is what you did – to bend it back a little.

Definitely just a little though, because little differences have a large effect on how it works. You can always bend it more if it isn’t fixed yet, and so on.

[Dirt]

Front derailleurs often balk to shift if you’re pedaling slowly. Part of the key to having it shift well is to shift early and when your legs are still spinning a bit. That won’t overcome a derailleur that isn’t adjusted correctly, or bent up, but it does make everything work a little better. I know that doesn’t help the “I need it to shift NOW!” problem, but maybe it’ll help a little down the road.

Pete

[Dickie]

Pete is spot on and I am guessing shifting at a more opportune time and perhaps a simple trim adjustment or at worst a slight alignment will cure the problem. I did notice that your derailier is a clamp on style which can be more prone to turning or moving. Front derailiers should work flawlessly forever as the mechanics are quite simple, but once one decides to be ornery it can be really annoying, especially with three chain rings. Usually front derailiers do not get bent when a bike is dropped since the pedals and crank armstake the brunt of the fall so I would be surprised if that is the issue. I would take it to a bike shop and explain the issue, it should be a quick fix. If you are ever in the Fairfax area while I’m working at the workshop I would be glad to give it a quick look over for you.

[KelOnWheels]

Well I decided to be all fancy and try messing with the indexing barrel adjuster, so now it doesn’t shift at ALL, which sort of solves the derailleur issue I guess…

[thecyclingeconomist]

@KelOnWheels 42890 wrote:

Well I decided to be all fancy and try messing with the indexing barrel adjuster, so now it doesn’t shift at ALL, which sort of solves the derailleur issue I guess…

When are you riding home? I could meet you where 4-mile-run hits Glebe and take a look at this for you if you like.

[KelOnWheels]

Thanks for stopping to have a look, it was COLD out there!

[thecyclingeconomist]

FYI…I don’t think its broken or bent significantly.

[Dickie]

@thecyclingeconomist 42964 wrote:

FYI…I don’t think its broken or bent significantly.

Oh, if I had a dime for every time I heard that Glad you were able to help Kel out.

Kel – The offer still stands, I’m at the workshop today in Fairfax (Merifield) if you need me to take a look at it. I’ll be doing some bike maintenance myself so it wouldn’t be an inconvenience at all.

[KelOnWheels]

@Dickie 42974 wrote:

Kel – The offer still stands, I’m at the workshop today in Fairfax (Merifield) if you need me to take a look at it. I’ll be doing some bike maintenance myself so it wouldn’t be an inconvenience at all.

Thanks! Cyclingeconomist is going to give me a hand with it as he’s right down the street from me. I have decided today is an excellent day for hibernating on the couch with the dog.

[Dickie]

@KelOnWheels 42985 wrote:

Thanks! Cyclingeconomist is going to give me a hand with it as he’s right down the street from me. I have decided today is an excellent day for hibernating on the couch with the dog.

Good to hear, and you are far wiser than me… why the hell am I am working today?

[KelOnWheels]

WOOHOO new brifters!

Not that I got to use them today, since this week I am working in the far off land of Greenbrier and I had to DRIVE. THE HORROR.

Cyclingeconomist is my hero!

Not only was my front derailleur bent, it was also knocked out of alignment (clamp-on). Also my handlebars are bent. Apparently I crashed into that sidewalk reaaaal good.

But now I has new brifters and my derailleurs are all derailling and the gears are all gearing and my headset is smooooove and I even have a new bar to put on! My bike probably didn’t work this well when it was new. (Well it definitely didn’t because it had crappy centerpull brakes.)

Oh and also my brakes are 300% more brakey!

[Author]

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